Mechanically-actuated governing-valve for elastic-fluid turbines.



PATENTED DEC. 5, 1905.

0. JUNGGREN.

MECHANIGALLY AGTUATED GOVERNING VALVE FOR ELASTIC FLUID TURBI'NBS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14. 190s.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Fi l.

muuu T e .H PM E m u/ PM a O S U b \A/ITNE'SBES:

PATENTED DEC. 5, 1905.

0.JUNGGRBN. MEGHANIGALLY AGTUATED GOVERNING VALVE FOR ELASTIC FLUID TURBINES.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.14,1903.

3 SHBETSSHEET 2.

INVEHTQ Dscar-Junqq en.

.No. 806,676. PATENTED DEC. 5, 1905. 0. JUNGGREN.

MEOHANIUALLY AOTUATED GOVERNING VALVE FOR ELASTIC FLUID TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14,1903.

a snnms-snizm a.

Inventor: Oscard unggren,

mug.

pairs s'ra rns PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR J UN GGREN, OF SOHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MECHANlC/lLLY-ACTUATED- GOVERNING-VALVE FOR ELASTIC-FLUID TURBlNES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1905.

Application filed August 14, 1903- .Serial No. 169,465.

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OSCAR J UNGGREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanically-Actuated Governing-Valves for Elastic-Fluid Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

In order to efliciently govern elastic-fluid turbines of the jet type, the nozzles or nozzlesections which discharge the motive fluid to the wheel or wheels are arranged in groups and the belt or column ofsteam delivered by each group is enlarged when the demand for energy increases and decreased when the demand is reduced. Each main nozzle or nozzle-section is provided with a valve which has an open and a closed position, but no intermediate, in order to prevent throttling, since the efliciency of an expanding-nozzle is impaired when supplied with less than the normal volume of fluid for whichit is intended. These nozzle-valves are successively actuated by means responsive to speed variations. In some cases where it is desired to reduce the total number of valves a single valve may control two or more nozzles or nozzle-passages.

The present invention relates to governing systems of the character above specified, and has for its object to provide a mechanical arrangement whereby the valves controlling the nozzles or nozzle-sections of the groups can be actuated in any predetermined sequence to meet the changes in load.

The nozzles or nozzle-sections are grouped around the wheel at suitable points, and the groups are usually spaced equidistant. As many valves are provided as are necessary, there usually being one for each main nozzle or nozzle-section; but one valve may control two or more sections. Each valve may be independent in its action of every other valve, or two or more valves may be actuated together. The valves may be direct-acting or indirect, as through the medium of a piston and auxiliary valve. An actuator, such as a cam-cylinder or its equivalent, is provided for each group of valves, which actuates the valves in the proper sequence. It being desirable to successively cut nozzle-sections into and out of service at different points around the wheel as the load changes to balance the strains thereon, alost-motion connection is provided between a device responsive to load changes and the actuators. By means of this arrangement one or more valves may be actuated in one group and then one or more in a second group, and so on. In other cases several valves may be successively cut into or out of service in one group, then all of thevalvesin another group, and, finally, the remaining valves in the first-mentioned group. The particular arrangement in this respect will be governed chiefly by the conditions of operation. I

In one embodiment of my invention the lostmotion connection between the device responsive to the changes in load and the valve-actuators comprises a toothed rack having blank portions thereon and mutilated pinions which alternately engage with the rack-teeth for movement and are locked by the mutilated portion engaging with said blank portion or portions. In other words, the device responsive to load changes is operatively connected to the valves when it is necessary to operate them and is disconnected therefrom when it is desired to leave them in a given position. In another embodiment of the invention the valves are suitably arranged and the actuator for each group is connected to and disconnected from the loadresponsive device by spring-pressed latches which enter notches in looped rods for actuating a valve or valves and are withdrawn therefrom when it is desired to leave the valve or valves in a given position.

In the accompanying drawings, which represent embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 shows a turbine in a vertical elevation. Fig. 2 is asectional detail view of one of the valves. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the gearing employed to actuate the cams for regulating the action of the nozzle-valves. Fig. 4 is a vertical view in elevation of the rack and pinions. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the relation between one pinion and the rack meshing therewith. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the relation between the second pinion and its rack. Fig. 7- is a view in elevation of a slightly-modified arrangement. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further modification. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the latch for connecting and disconnecting the speedresponsive device and the valve-actuators, and Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the relation which the latches in Fig. 8 bear to each other.

1 represents a turbine of any suitable construction. In the present instance a vertical machine of the jet type is shown. Itis mounted upon a base 2, which is connected with the condenser 3. Situated on top of the turbine is a stool &, which forms a support for the under side of the dynamo-electric machine 5. On the upper end of the main shaft 6 is a speed responsive device 7 of any suitable character, which rocks the cam-cylinders 8 through a system of gearing and linkage 9. 1n the drawings only one of the cam-cylinders is shown, the other being directly opposite it and displaced therefrom by one hundred and eighty degrees. The number of cam-cylinders depends upon thenumber of groups of nozzles or nozzle-sections, and the number of the latter is varied to suit the conditions of operation. Steam or other motive fluid is delivered to the steam-chest 10 by means of a semicircular conduit 11, which is connected directly with the main steam pipe 12. Mounted within each of the steam-chests is a plurality of nozzle-valves of any suitable construction. I have elected in the present embodiment of my invention to show a valve which is actuated by a piston, with the latter underthe control of an auxiliary valve. The auxiliary valve is light and easily operated, and in this manner the load on the speed-responsive device is reduced to a minimum.

Referring to Fig. 2, 13 represents the nozzle-valve, and 14: the piston for actuating it. 15 indicates the auxiliary valve, which is operated by the cam-cylinder 8 through the intervention of a lever or spring-arm 16. When the auxiliary valve is in the position shown, the exhaust-port is closed and steam is admitted to the cylinder-space back of the piston by port 17, which causes thepiston to move downward and close the valve 13. On the other hand, when the cam-cylinder depresses the lever or spring-arm 16 the valve 15 closes the admission-port 17 and opens the space back of the piston to the exhaust. This causes the nozzle-valve 13 to open. due to the fact that the pressures on the piston are unbalanced. The oam-cylinders have as many projections as there are secondary valves 15 in each group, and the number can be varied to suit the different requirements. As a general proposition it may be stated that where close regulation over a Wide range is desired more of these valves will be employed than where coarser regulation is satisfactory. The cam-cylinder is mounted on a rock-shaft 20, and on the end thereof is a bevel-gear 21, which meshes with a corresponding gear 22, the latter being carried by the intermediate shaft 23. The intermediate shaft is supported by two brackets 24 and 25, both of which are bolted to a stool 4, that supports the dynamo. On the right-hand end of the intermediate shaft is a mutilated pinion 27, Fig. 4:, which meshes with the left-hand row of teeth on the rack 28. The rack is provided with two sets of teeth 29 and 30. Adjacent to the rackteeth 29 are raised blank portions 31, which engage with the fiat faces 32 of the mutilated pinion and prevent it from turning more than a certain number of degrees. By reason of this arrangement the rack 28 is capable of moving vertically for a short distance independently of the pinion. A second intermediate shaft 33, Fig. 3, is provided, which is supported by brackets 24: and 25. On the end of the shaft adjacent to the rack is a pinion 34, which engages with the rack-teeth 30, and the flat portion 35 on the gear is adapted to engage with the raised flat surfaces 36 and holds the shaft against rotation when the valves under control of cam-shaft 37 are to be held in a given position. The teeth on the pinion 34 are so arranged that vertical movement of the rack 28 will rotate the pinion until the flat portion 35 thereof engages with the raised portion 36 of the rack. The gear then remains stationary until the flat and raised portions are disengaged and the second set of'teeth engages the upper set of rackteeth 30. In other words, while the first set of teeth are in engagement the cam-cylinder is being rocked, and valves are moved thereby. Then comes an idle period when the gear 3a is locked, and finally an active period when the cam-shaft resumes its movement. During the period that the gear 34'and its connected means are stationary the gear 27 and its connected means are active. From this it will be seen that the sets of teeth on the rack are staggered with respect to each other. Motion between the intermediate shaft 33 and the camcylinder 37 is by means of bevel-gearing similar to that previously described.

The rack 28 is suitably guided in the bracket 26 and is caused to move up and down by means of a linkage 9, which comprises the necessary rods and bell-crank levers for transmitting motion from the speed-responsive device. In order to change theaction of the governoras, for example, by changing the adjustment of the spring which opposes the action of the weightsan electric motor 38 is provided that may be controlled from a distance, said motor changing the stress of a spring inclosed in' a suitable casing, which spring acts on the bell-crank lever connected to the shaft-governor.

The nozzles or nozzle-sections cover more or less of the bucket wheel or wheels, depending upon the character of the machine. In some instances, as in the low-pressure stages, they may extend entirely around the wheel or wheels. The admission-valves, however, should be divided into groups and the valves of the groups arranged in a compact manner,

"so as to simplify the actuating connection between them and the device responsive or sensitive to load changes. a

In Fig. 7 is shown a slight modification of the construction previously described, wherein the mechanism is simplified and fewer parts are necessary. 7 represents a device which responds to changes in speed due to variations in load. On the right-hand side is a bellcrank lever 40, which is connected to the speedresponsive device 7, and by means of a suitable lever 41 and rod 42 motion is imparted to the spindle of the cam-cylinder 43. The end of the cam-cylinder is provided with a mutilated gear 44, which engages with rackteeth formed on the lower end of the rod 42. The arrangement between the gear and rackteeth is such that the rod 42 canmove vertically for a short distance without causing movement of the cam-cylinder, after which the teeth are in engagement and the cylinder rotates through a given angular space until one of the fiat faces on the gear engages with the rod and prevents further rotation; but no opposition is offered to the continued movement of the rod 42. In other words, thereis a lost-motion connection between the speedresponsive device and the valve-actuator. On the left-hand side of the speed-responsive device and connected thereto by a pin-and-slot connection 45 is a bell-crank lever 46. This lever is so arranged that as the lower weights move outward, due to the rotation of the main shaft, the lower end of the lever also moves outwardly. On the lower end of the lever 46 is a roller 47, which moves back and forth in the loop 48, formed on the end of the rod 49. Mounted on the front of the lever is a spring-pressed latch 50, which enters a notch 51 in the loop 48. Situated in front of the loop is a stationary piece 52, having an inclined face which engages with a similar face on the lower end of the latch and raises it out of engagement with the notch when the bell-crank lever moves inwardly. When the latch is moved out of engagement with the notch, it slides in theloop, and the movements of the lever 46 have no effect upon the rod 49 and the cam-cylinder 53, which is connected therewith. In other words, there is a lostmotion connection between the speed-responsivedevice and the valve-actuator or cam-cylinder 53. The action of the device is as follows: The governor is in about a midway position, and the lower end of the lever 40 has pushed the rod 42 downward until the camcylinder 43 has reached the limit of its movement, and further change in the position of the governor has no efiect thereon. The latch 50 being in engagement with the notch in the loop will as the governor-weights assume a different position push or pull the rod 49, as the case may be, and oscillate the cam-cylinder 53. After the governor moves to the point where the latch is disengaged from the notch by reason of the lower beveled end striking the. release device 52 further motion of the cam-cylinder 53 ceases and the return movement of the cam-cylinder 43 begins. The friction of the parts attached to the cam-cylinder 53 is sufficient at this period to prevent the cylinder from rotating when the latch 50 is out of engagement.

In Fig.8 is shown a further modification, wherein each of the cam-cylinders is actuated through a device similar to that shown in Fig. 9. Three actuators are provided. each of which is intended to operate a plurality of valves arranged in groups. The valves and the actuators are preferably equally spaced; but this arrangement is not absolutely necessary. 54, 55, and 56 represent the cam-cylinders, each of which is provided with a plurality of projections 57 for moving valves of the character shown in Fig. 2. 58 represents a head carried by the shaft, to which are connected the bell-crank levers 59. These levers are connected through suitable means, so that they have a certain freedom of motion. On the end of each of the bell-crank levers is a spring-pressed latch of the construction shown in Fig. 9. These latches are so arranged with respect to the loops on the ends of the connecting-rods 60, 61, and 62 that motion is transmitted from the speed-responsive device to one cam-cylinder after the other.

Referring to Fig. 10, the relation between the latches carried by the bell-crank levers and the notches in the loops formed in the ends of the connecting-rods will be described. For the purpose of illustration the lower ends of the three bell-crank levers are shown as being united bya frame 63. In practice they move together, but are connected only at their upper ends. The upper latch 64 is in engagement with a corresponding notch in the loop of rod 60, while latches 65 and 66 are idle. As the lever-arms advance. rod 60 moves with them, but rods 61 and 62 remain stationary. When latch 64 reaches the first dotted-line position, it strikes the releasing device or plate 67. At or about the instant this action takes place the latch 65 slips off of the plate 68 and enters the notchin the loop of rod 61. While the latch 65 is active latches 64 and 66 are idle. When the latch -65 has moved the loop the required distance,

it strikes the releasing plate or device 69, which disengages it from the notch, and further movement of the rod 61 ceases. At or about the instant the latch 65 is disengaged the third latch 66 passes off of the plate 70 and enters the notch in the loop of rod 62. When this latch is active, the other latches are idle. The action described takes place under condition of increased speed due to reduction in load. When the load. increases, the reverse action takes place and more motive fluid is admitted to the wheel or wheels.

I have described a construction wherein one rod is rendered active after another, since it is a desirable one; but any other relation between the rods can be employed without departing from my invention. The essential features of a governing system of this character are to operate the valves in-proper succession and to distribute the strains evenly over the wheel or wheels.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the groups of valves are each provided with an actuator which is common to them and that these actuators are successively moved by a device which is responsive to load changes.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

I/Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a turbine, the combination of a plurality of separately-actuated valves arranged in groups with a means common to the groups and acting upon the latter successively.

2. In a turbine, the combination of a plurality of separately-actuated valves arranged in groups, a device for operating the valves of each group successively, and a means common to the said devices for imparting sequential movements thereto.

3. A turbine comprising a device responsive to load changes and a plurality of separatelyactuated valves arranged in groups, in combination with a mechanical connection between the load-responsive device and the valves for successively and positively operating the valves in the different groups. 4. Aturbine comprisingadevice responsive to load changes and a plurality of separatelyactuated valves arranged in groups, in combination with an actuating means controlled by the load-responsive device for successively operating the valves of the different groups. and a lost-motion connection between the said device-and each group of valves.

5. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a device responsive to load changes and valves arranged in groups for regulating the admission of motive fluid to the wheel, in combination with an actuating means between each group of valves and the load-responsive de vice which includes a lost-motion device.

6. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a device responsive to load changes and valves arranged in groups, in combination with a separate means for operating each group, and a lost-motion connection between each of the separate means and the speed-responsive device for actuating the valves in the dilferent groups sequentially.

7. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a de vice responsive to load changes and valves for regulating the admission of fluid, in combination with means for actuating one of the valves, a means for operating another valve, and a lock for holding one valve-actuating means in a given position while another is being moved.

8. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising a device responsive to load changes and admissionvalves arranged in groups, in combination with a means for successively actuating the valves of the different groups, and a lock for holding the valves of one group fixed while the others are moving.

9. An elastic-fluid turbine, comprising a device responsive to load changes, admissionvalves arranged in a group, auxiliary valves controlling the admission-valves, a cam acting on the auxiliary valves, and an operative connection including gearing between the load-responsive device and the cam.

10. A turbine comprising a device respon sive to load changes, admission -valves arranged in groups for independent action; an actuating means which operates the valves sequentially, and a connection between the loadresponsive-device and the actuating means of each group for actuating them successively.

11. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising adevice responsive to load changes, and admission-valves, in combination with a rack and mutilated gear for operating the valves.

12. An elastic-fluid turbine comprisinga de vice responsive to load changes, admissionvalves arranged in groups, a cam for actuating each group of valves, and a lost-motion connection between each cam and the loadresponsive device.

13. An elastic-fluid turbine, comprisingadevice responsive to load changes, admissionvalves arranged in groups, a means for successively actuating the valves of each group, and an actuator containing a lost-motion connection, and under the control of the load-responsive device, which acts first on one group of valves and then another.

14. An elastic-fluid turbine comprising adevice responsive to load changes, admissionvalves arranged in groups, a cam for actuating each group of valves, an actuator for successively moving the cams of the different groups, and a lock for holding one cam while another moves.

15. An elastic-fluid turbine comprisingadevice responsive to load changes, admissionvalves arranged in groups, a means acting on the valves in each group to open and close them, gearing for actuating each of said means, and a rack which operates the gearing and is itself controlled by the load-responsive device.

16. A turbine including a speed-responsive device and admission valves arranged in groups, in combination with a rack having as many sets of teeth as there are groups of valves, and gears meshing with the rack-teeth for opening and closing the valves.

17. A turbine including a speed-responsive device and admission valves arranged in groups, in combination with a rack having sets of teeth, the teeth in one set being staggered with respect to those of another set, gears meshing with the sets of teeth, and means for locking one gear While the other is operating.

18. In an elastic-fluid turbine the combination of a casing, admission-valves carried thereby, a speed-responsive device mounted on the main shaft, a rack carried by the casing, a linkage between the said device and the rack, actuating means for opening and closing the valves, and gearing between the rack and said means.

19. A turbine comprising groups of admission-valves, each group including a number of valves. an actuator common to the valves of each group for positively actuating them, and a means responsive to load changes for imparting movement to all of the actuators.

20. A turbine comprisinga positively-driven device responsive to load changes, an admission-valve, and an auxiliary or relay device controlling said valve, in combination with an actuator between the load-responsive device and the auxiliary valve for actuating it, and means for rendering said actuator inoperative without interfering with the continued action of the load-responsive device.

21. A turbine comprising a device responsive to load variations and a plurality of admission-valves arranged to control the admission of fluid to the turbine, in combination with a plurality of independently-movable actuators between the load-responsive device and the separate valves, and means for rendering an actuator inoperative under predetermined conditions of operation Without affecting the other or others and the load-responsive device.

22. A turbine comprising a device sensitive to load changes and an admission-valve, in combination with a valve-actuator, a connector between the device sensitive to load changes and the valve-actuator, and a means for operativelyconnecting the valve-actuator and the connector when the said device assumes a predetermined position.

23. A turbine comprising adevice sensitix e to load changes and an admission-valve, in combination with a valve-actuator, aconnector between the device sensitive toload changes and the valve-actuator, and a means for operatively connecting the valve-actuator and the connector when the speed of the turbine reaches a predetermined point and for disconnecting' them when the speed variation exceeds a predetermined point.

24. A turbine comprising a device responsive to speed variations and a plurality of ad'- mission-valves, in combination with an independently movable actuator between each valve and the speed-responsive device, and means for'rendering these actuators operative and inoperative as the conditions of operation vary.

25. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a valve which regulates the admission of motive fluid to the turbine, a cam for causing the valve to open or close in response to load changes, a mutilated gear and rack for actuating the cam, and a speed responsive device for regulating the action of the cam.

26. In agoverning mechanism for turbines, the combination of a plurality of separatelyactuated valves arranged in groups, a speed responsive device, and mechanical means acting under the control of the speed-responsive device for opening and closing the valves in predetermined order.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of August, 1903.

OSCAR J UNGGREN Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD. 

